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Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers

A plate of beef stuffed bell peppers with two raw green peppers behind the plate

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The bell peppers, carrots and tomatoes were fresh from the garden; still warm from the sun. I scraped the dirt from those vibrant little carrots myself. I posted stuffed bell peppers a couple years ago using a mix of ground turkey and pork.

These are the beef version. Beef stuffed bell peppers are a meal in themselves; a classic Russian and Ukrainian dish. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers:

10-12 medium bell peppers (any color)
2 lbs ground beef (I used ground chuck)
2 1/2 cups cooked white rice
2 whole eggs, minus the shell of course (two yolks work well too if the whites don’t agree with you).
1 tsp salt
3 medium carrots, peeled and grated
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 cups fresh chopped tomatoes (1 large tomato or 2 small)
2 large garlic cloves, peeled and pressed
Handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped (1 tbsp dried parsley would work as well)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt plus 2 Tbsp vinegar for boiling water

Ingredients for the Sauce:

2 medium carrots, grated
1 Tbsp mrs dash, or your favorite seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1 heaping tbsp sour cream
2 cups freshly chopped tomatoes or 1 cup marinara
2 cups reserved water from bell peppers

Prepping the peppers:

1. Cut the tops off each pepper and remove the junk from the inside with your hands.

beef-stuffed-bell-peppers

2. Fill a large soup pot 2/3 with water and bring to a boil. Add 2 Tbsp vinegar and 1 tsp salt.

3. Place all of the peppers and their lids in the pot. Add more water if needed to cover the peppers. Cover and cook 3 minutes, then turn off the stove and let the peppers sit in hit water while you prep the rest of the ingredients (about 30-40 minutes). Reserve 2 cups of water from the pot.

The Meat Mix:

1. In a large skillet, heat 4 Tbsp oil over medium/high heat. Add 3 grated carrots, 1 chopped onion, 2 cups chopped tomato and season with parsley, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Saute until soft. Press 2 cloves of garlic into the skillet and saute another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.

beef-stuffed-bell-peppers-1

3. In a large bowl (I use my KitchenAid with paddle attachment for this) mix: 2 lbs ground beef, 2 1/2 cups cooked white rice, 2 whole eggs and 1 tsp salt. Mix in the sauteed carrot mix until well combined.

beef-stuffed-bell-peppers-2

4. Loosely stuff the peppers with the beef mix. Fill them but don’t pack the mixture in. Arrange them in a dutch oven or a large soup pot with tight fitting lid.

Raw beef stuffed bell peppers in a bowl stacked on top of each other

The sauce for the Beef stuffed bell peppers:

1. In a large skillet, saute 2 grated carrots, 2 cups freshly chopped tomatoes (or 1 cup marinara). Stir in 1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash, 1/2 tsp salt,  1/2 tsp sugar and a heaping Tbsp of sour cream. Add 2 cups water and stir to blend.

beef-stuffed-bell-peppers-3

2. Pour the sauce over the  stuffed peppers and cover peppers with their lids.

A pot filled with beef stuffed bell peppers

Two Ways to Cook beef stuffed bell peppers:

1. If using the lidded soup pot, bring to a light boil, then cover and simmer 40 minutes over medium heat.

2. If using a dutch oven (recommended method), cover with lid and bake at 450 ˚ F for 20-25 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 ˚ F and bake 1 hour.
Serve with a generous dollop of sour cream.

A plate with one beef stuffed bell pepper

Notes: To reheat leftovers, cut the pepper in half and spoon the sauce over each half.
Also, if you have leftover meat mix, saute up some meatballs.

Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers

5 from 51 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 10

Ingredients for Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers:

  • 10-12 medium bell peppers, any color
  • 2 lbs lean ground beef
  • 2 1/2 cups cooked white rice
  • 2 whole eggs, minus the shell
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and grated
  • 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 cups fresh chopped tomatoes, 1 large tomato or 2 small
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and pressed
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (1 tbsp dried parsley would work as well)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt , plus 2 tbsp vinegar for boiling water

Ingredients for the Sauce:

  • 2 medium carrots, grated
  • 1 Tbsp mrs dash, or your favorite seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp sour cream
  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes , or 1 cup marinara
  • 2 cups reserved water from bell peppers

Instructions

  • Cut the tops off each pepper and remove the seeds from the inside with your hands.
  • Fill a large soup pot 2/3 with water and bring to a boil. Add 2 Tbsp vinegar and 1 tsp salt.
  • Place all of the peppers and their lids in the pot. Add more water if needed to cover the peppers. Cover and cook 3 minutes, then turn off the stove and let the peppers sit while you prep the rest of the ingredients (about 30-40 minutes). Reserve 2 cups of water from the pot.

The Meat Mix:

  • In a large skillet, heat 4 tbsp oil over medium/high heat.
  • Add 3 grated carrots, 1 chopped onion, 2 cups chopped tomato and season with parsley, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Saute until soft. Press 2 cloves of garlic into the skillet and saute another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • In a large bowl (I use my Kitchen Aid with paddle attachment for this) mix: 2 lbs ground beef, 2 1/2 cups cooked white rice, 2 whole eggs and 1 tsp salt. Mix in the sauteed carrot mix until well combined.
  • Loosely stuff the peppers with the beef mix. Fill them but don't pack the mixture in. Arrange them in a dutch oven or a large soup pot with tight fitting lid.

The sauce:

  • In a large skillet, saute 2 grated carrots, 2 cups freshly chopped tomatoes (or 1 cup marinara). Stir in 1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp sugar and a heaping tbsp of sour cream. Add 2 cups water and stir to blend.
  • Pour the sauce over the stuffed peppers and cover peppers with lids.

Two Ways to Cook these:

  • If using the lidded soup pot, bring to a light boil, then cover and simmer 40 minutes over medium heat.
  • If using a dutch oven (recommended method), cover with lid and bake at 450°F for 20-25 minutes, then reduce heat to 350˚ F and bake 1 hour.

Serve with a generous dollop of sour cream.

    Nutrition Per Serving

    344kcal Calories27g Carbs23g Protein16g Fat5g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat8g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat92mg Cholesterol986mg Sodium880mg Potassium5g Fiber9g Sugar9335IU Vitamin A166mg Vitamin C92mg Calcium4mg Iron
    Nutrition Facts
    Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    344
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    16
    g
    25
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    31
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    8
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    92
    mg
    31
    %
    Sodium
     
    986
    mg
    43
    %
    Potassium
     
    880
    mg
    25
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    27
    g
    9
    %
    Fiber
     
    5
    g
    21
    %
    Sugar
     
    9
    g
    10
    %
    Protein
     
    23
    g
    46
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    9335
    IU
    187
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    166
    mg
    201
    %
    Calcium
     
    92
    mg
    9
    %
    Iron
     
    4
    mg
    22
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers
    Skill Level: Medium
    Cost to Make: $$
    Calories: 344
    Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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    Natasha Kravchuk

    Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

    Read more posts by Natasha

    5 from 51 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




    Comments

    • Deb Szymborski
      September 26, 2024

      I found an easy way to clean out the bell peppers. After cutting off the tops, use your strawberry corer to skim off the ribs inside. Super quick and streamlined! I made a double batch for all the hungry folk here and due to a volunteer plant that popped up with a plethora of peppers. Instead of meatballs, I used the extra filling to make two mini meatloafs with your fabulous meatloaf topping sauce! Now I’m eagerly awaiting the timer to devour this yumminess.

      Reply

      • NatashasKitchen.com
        September 26, 2024

        Thank you for the tip, Deb! I hope you love the recipe!

        Reply

        • Dev Szymborski
          September 27, 2024

          It was fabulous! So delicious and plenty for leftovers on those cold days ahead. Thank you for making our days full of scrumptious meals Natasha!

          Reply

    • Melanie Delarmente
      September 26, 2024

      Hello! The link for the nutrition label does not work. Could you post it please? Thank you!

      Reply

      • Natasha's Kitchen
        September 26, 2024

        Hi Melanie, thanks for your suggestion! We haven’t really added the Nutrition label for all of our old recipes but we’ll take note of this one so we can update it.

        Reply

    • Jayme
      August 31, 2024

      My roommate used to make stuffed peppers just like these about 20 years ago. She was from Russia. This recipe took me back in time. So comforting and delicious!

      Reply

      • NatashasKitchen.com
        August 31, 2024

        Aw! Thanks so great to hear. I’m glad you found this recipe.

        Reply

    • Connie
      May 18, 2024

      Hi, Natasha!

      Would you be willing to make a video for this recipe? I’ve made stuffed bell peppers before!

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        May 18, 2024

        Thank you so much for that suggestion, Connie!

        Reply

    • Gordon Dyker
      March 19, 2024

      I’ve made these stuffed peppers a number of times (modifying this recipe to use six, large red bell peppers — rather than the 10-12 medium pepper as called for in the recipe). It turns out perfect every time. The sauce is particularly tasty and perfectly completes the dish.

      Reply

      • Natasha's Kitchen
        March 19, 2024

        Hey Gordon, thank you for sharing that with us. God to kno that you have made this recipe a lot of times already and have always loved it!

        Reply

    • Marisa
      January 24, 2024

      Hi Natasha
      Would this recipe still work if I substitute the white rice for Quinoa or brown rice? Just trying to eat healthier.

      Reply

    • Al
      October 8, 2023

      So flavorful, healthy and delicious! Sauce is the best part! I think the key is to use marinara (some brands of marinara are too acidic, I used a sweet and thick marinara and it was perfect in this recipe). I halved the recipe and it yieled 4 large peppers. I didn’t have a big enough pot so this was perfect for 2 people. My couple of modifications: to speed things up I used minute rice, made about 3 cups. I added beef to the sautéed vegetables and fully cooked it. Didn’t want to risk it not cooking thoroughly. I used remaining rice as a side dish and served it with the delicious sauce. Hope this helps someone. Thank you for another great recipe Natasha!

      Reply

      • NatashasKitchen.com
        October 9, 2023

        Thank you for sharing, Al! I’m glad you loved the recipe.

        Reply

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